HORSES TO WATCH

By: AMERICAN TURF CLUB

DEL MAR

FUSAICHI ROCK STAR: Got his return sprint prep race under his belt on 7/31. Get a look at him

on the stretchout.

GOLIVEWITHLUCKY: Broke slowly in return from a four-month layoff. Can make amends next time

against maidens.

HAINT YOU GRAND: Was stuck in between horses for an extended time in the stretch and

then was bumped and interfered with in deep stretch on 8/3. Can win with clear sailing.

IT WAS MEANT TO BE: Got roughed up at the start and began a bit too far out of it on 8/4. Should

move forward off the claim by Mitchell.

JUSTAFIRECRACKER: Did not break quickly and then rushed up into a battle for the lead and tired in

well-bet return from a year and a half layoff. Too early to give up on him.

MEGABYTE: Still had plenty of run left in him when he checked back in traffic on the second turn

 on 7/31. Worth another shot.

MODERN VIEWPOINT: Broke poorly and hit the gate at the start to lose all chance on 7/30.

Toss out that race and try again at a big price.

NAUGHTY LAURA: Lost by 13 lengths as the favorite after getting off to a rough start in return

 from a three-month layoff. Try again off the claim by Spawr.

PRESUMPTION: Hustled up into a five-length-gap speed duel and held on for third after his early

 challenger tired badly to finish last. Must respect.

RUN REBECCA RUN: Finished a close third after getting hooked in a three-length-gap duel for the

 lead. Improving now.

SALTY SALLY: Showed good speed and lost by only 2 1/2-lengths when fourth in return from

 a year layoff. Can win second off the layoff.

SNODEN: Got squeezed back at the start in first race of the year on 8/5. Can do better in second off

the layoff.

SPECIAL HEATHER: Got off to a slow start but still outran 18-1 odds for third in return from a year

 and a half layoff. Stick with her.

ST. AMAND: Well-bet first starter set fast fractions and tired to mid-pack in debut. Can benefit

 from the experience and win off the claim by Hines.

THUNDERING CLOUDS: Finished off the board but was beaten by less than a half-length when claimed

away by Nick Hines on 7/31. Take a shot with new barn.

 

4STARSPECIAL: ELKTON: Blew away maiden claimers after getting hooked in a five-way duel for the

 lead while widest on the turn. Has a bright future in allowance races.

LONGSHOT: NICCOLO DREAM: Got bumped and squeezed back at the start but then finished well

for third at 34-1 in career debut on 8/1. May not be a maiden for long for low-profile barn.

 

 

EMERALD DOWNS

Another Quickie: 2-year-old had to be checked in mid-turn and lost his best chance. $12,5K-claimer

needs 5 1/2-furlongs or more for best.

Bear Hug Slew: This mare can run a bit when properly placed in a n/w-2, $4K-claiming sprint.

Mutuel will be attractive.

Benny G: First route try was excellent. Led most of the way until he was caught by a class-dropper.

 Easily held the place.

Definitelydiamonds: 2-year-old filly was steadied twice in debut to lose her best chance. Believe

she has a bright future.

Designed for Gold: Lightly raced 3-year-old filly needs more distance. Best fit is a 6 1/2-furlong,

 $7,5K maiden claimer.

Maxiqueen: 2-year-old debuter had excellent early speed before tiring slightly. It won’t take much

improvement to put her in the winners’ circle.

No Giveaway: Went from last-to-first in the 6 1/2-furlong Governor’s Handicap which sets him up

 as a longshot play in the Aug. 21st, Grade III, Longacres Mile.

Pazhalsta: 7-year-old raced blocked down the lane. He was claimed back by the Ross barn for

$2,5K more than they lost him for on June 19th.

Tusko T.: Beat his soft entrymate, Courting Seattle by a widening 3/4ths of a length in the Emerald

Express Stakes. Will be the deserved favorite in an Aug. 20th stakes race.

War Alert: 2-year-old maiden was hammered from both sides while in gate 9 at 4 1/2-furlongs.

Give him a chance from an inside gate in a race with more distance.

 

4STARSPECIAL: Summer Symphony: Replacement rider may have moved this filly a little too soon

in the Boeing Handicap. Try her again in the August 21st, Emerald B.C. Distaff if Gary Baze rides.

LONGSHOT: Roostas Rastus: When a bottom claimer is run at 1 1/8th, this guy will show his

 best stuff. Shorter routes will probably produce an in-the-money finish.